Knock-down leg for furniture



' Jan. 2, 1934. G. H. BUNDLE 1,942,003

KNOCK-DOWN LEG FOR FURNITURE Filed May 20. 1932 Patented Jan. 2, 1934 1,942,003 KNOCK-DOWN LEG FOR FURNITURE George H. Bundle, Palmyra, Wis. Application May 20, 1932. Serial No. 612,461

1 Claim.

My invention refers to knock-down legs for furniture, and it is particularly designed for tables, or the like.

The specific object of my invention is to provide table legs which can be quickly fitted to sockets, or removed therefrom, and when so fitted the leg is securely braced and locked rigidly in its seat to avoid wobbling or loosening through wear, the locking means being in the 19 form of a wing-bolt which can be adjusted sesurely without the aid of tools, or the like.

The particular advantage of this knock-down structure is that the tables so provided may be readily adapted for shipment, or easily stored when not in use, and thereafter quickly set up, the legs when inserted in their sockets can be fastened in a few moments by those unskilled in the art. Tables so constructed are particularly advantageous where a number of such tables are required for public assemblages, picnics, card parties, et cetera.

A further object of my invention is to produce a table which can be cheaply manufactured, wherein the legs are held rigidly and can be adjusted as to their fit, irrespective of shrinkage or expansion of materials.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain peculiarities of construction and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth with reference to the drawing and subsequently claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 represents a fragmentary inner elevation of a leg and table frame equipped with a leg embodying the features of my invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same with the table top removed.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional View of said table leg structure, the same being indicated by line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail elevation of the socket portion of the leg.

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of the same, the section being indicated by line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an end view of said leg socket.

Figure 7 is an elevation of a modified form of my invention, wherein a comparatively fiat rectangular leg is employed in conjunction with an all-metal socket.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the same, and

Figure 9 is a bottom plan view illustrating a leg rectangular in cross section fitted to a leg socket, such as illustrated in. Figures 1 to 3 in the drawing, the section being taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Figure 7.

Referring by characters to the drawing, Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, 1-1 represent the rails of a rectangular frame suitably morticed to form a V-shaped corner. The inner faces of the rails l-l are connected by a metallic strap 2, suitably secured to said rails, and the outer surfaces of the rails are reini creed by a metallic binding strap 3, as best shown in Figure 2. The inner faces of the rails and strap 2 will thus form a triangular corner pocket or socket for the shank X of a rectangular table leg 4. The shank X is formed with a central slot 1' and is cut away, asbest shown in Figures 3 to 6, to form a flat inner face 5 and fiat outer face 5', which outer face 5' terminates in an abrupt weight-sustaining shoulder 6.

Hence, when the shank of the table leg is insorted within the socket, the flat face 5 will engage the juxtaposed face of the strap 2, and said leg is held in its vertical supporting position due to engagement of the shoulder 6 with the juxtaposed surfaces of the frame rails l-1, when said leg is firmly drawn into its position, although it is understood that the shoulder 6, in some instances, may be dispensed with as a support, in which case the entire load strain of the leg will be taken up by the locking bolt '7.

The leg locking bolt 7, as best shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing, passes through the strap 3 and mitre-joined portions of the rails 1-1, and also through an aperture in the strap 2. This bolt is provided with a wing-nut 8, and when the leg shank is adjusted to its socket, the bolt being drawn up will cause the rectangular leg shank to be frictionally gripped between the strap 2 and juxtaposed inner corner surfaces of said rail members 1-1. Furthermore, in drawing up and locking the leg in position just described, the bolt will also serve to rigidly brace and secure the frame rails 1-1, whereby the same, in conjunction with the strap 3, will be held against spreading.

It is understood that the bolt 7, as shown in the drawing, is adapted to enter the slot 4 of the leg shank when the same is seated within the corner socket just described.

Figures 4 to 6 illustrate the specific form of leg just described, which is rectangular in cross section. It is obvious that if so desired the contacting faces of the leg shank may be inclined slight- 1y, whereby said leg, when locked in its position, would spread slightly from top to bottom to more effectually brace and support the table. This angular spread of the leg is particularly desirable in the construction of small, individual tables.

Referring particularly to that form of my table leg structure shown in Figures 7 and 8, the table leg is fiat or rectangular in cross section, and is slightly tapered from top to bottom. In this form of my invention the rail members 1'1 are mitre-joined, and the outer binding strap 3 is dispensed with. The inner corner surfaces of the rail members in this case have suitably secured thereto a metal strap 9, as best shown in Figure 8. The strap is spaced from the inner corner to form a flat face 9, which is suitably apertured for the reception of a locking stud or bolt 10. This form of socket is also provided with a metallic cross strap 2' suitably secured to the rails-and spacedfrom the inner flat portion 9' of the strap 9;

whereby an all-metal socket for the shank-X of a the leg is provided.

In this type of leg shank the bolt slot 4" is similar to that previously described, and thelocking bolt passes only through metallic straps 9 and 2, whereby the leg socket mechanism is entirely obscured so as not to mar the contour of the outer surfaces of the rails. It is understood, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 8 of the drawing,

that this leg structure is shouldered at 6 for engagement with the lower faces of the rails-1', whereby load strain is taken up independentlyof the binding stud 10.

Figure 9 of the drawing illustrates an inverted plan viewof that form of my invention shown in Figures 1 to 3 in the drawing,with-the exception that the'leg 4 in this instance is rectangular in form and is provided'with a supporting shoulder 6", as indicated in dottedlin'es;

Thus it will be seen from the 'foregoing-descrip tion that these'legsmay constitute supports for various types of furniture, and when used in connection therewith they canbe readily removed for shipment or storage, and when adjusted to their sockets said legs will be rigidly attached to prevent Wobbling. It is also apparent that the legs of the table when removed from their'sockets may be nested Within the confines of the rectangular frame formed by the rails and suitable means (not shown) may be provided for temporarily fasteningthe legs in their nested position.

Attention is called to the fact that the binding strap-members 2 or 2 may be slightly bowed or sprung outwardly in such manner that they constitute in effect a locking washer or nut for the wing bolts, andwhen said bolts are released to remove the legs, the slight spring in these straps will-instantaneously relieve the frictional engagementbetweenthe-socket and legs so that they can be quickly withdrawn.

Itwill be noted that in practise the retaining bolts '7 and 10 may be squared or hexed at their shankportionsto prevent rotation;

I claim:-

In an article of furniture, side 'rails meeting at i GEORGE BUNDLE. 

